₦airaland Forum

8 FRUIT SALAD

Fruits like oranges, strawberries, cherries, and other
antioxidant-rich fruits are effective in boosting sperm
count and preventing damage to sperm. Eating a fruit salad
helps you absorb all the nutrients of fruits at one time. By
making eating fruits a habit, it can help counteract free
radical damage. The semen of men who take up to 1000
mgs of vitamin C daily has less clumping than that of their
deficient counterparts. This increases motility and the
chances of fertilization.

(7) SPINACH

Spinach has many health benefits and is easily available.
Green leafy vegetables like spinach contain high amounts
of folic acid . Vegetables enriched in folic acid help
contribute to sperm count. They also make sperms
healthier and increase their motility.

(6) WALNUTS Yoruba people do call it "ASALA"

As mentioned earlier, walnuts contain arginine that helps
in the increased production of sperm and also boosts
semen volume. Walnuts also contain Omega-3 fatty acids
which help increase blood flow to the penis. They also
possess twice the antioxidant power of other nuts. An
amazing fact about walnuts is that having 7 walnuts a day
lowers cholesterol and the risk of heart attack.

(5) BEEF

Beef is a rich source of zinc which possesses protective
properties that prevent free radicals from becoming part of
sperm. Zinc stops testosterone from converting into
estrogen which is responsible for low libido. According to
Mayoclinic, daily consumption of 66 milligrams of zinc
may increase sperm counts in subfertile men and 220
milligrams of daily zinc is helpful for sexual dysfunction in
men.
If you’re vegetarian like me, don’t worry! There are plenty
of vegetarian and vegan foods that are abundant sources
of zinc.
Please make sure to check out Top 10 Signs of Zinc
Deficiency

DjAndroid:
Following. .......

Though in a wrong section.

Apologies.........I have already made the first post before knowing that I made a mistake

Mods....Can you please transfer this topic to the health section? Thanks

(4) POMEGRANATES

Pomegranates are useful in problems ranging from cold
and flu to low sperm count. Pomegranates contain anti-
oxidants that fight a chemical in the blood which destroys
sperm. This chemical is known as malondialdehyde
(MDA) . Malondialdehyde is also found in the semen and is
associated with low sperm quality . A new study published
in the International Journal of Medical Research and Health
Sciences (2013) shows that smoking increases the levels
of MDA in semen and lower the sperm count in semen.
Aother study published in Clinical Nutrition Journal shows
that daily consumption of pomegranate juice destroys free
radicals and boosts sperm quality.

(3) GARLIC

Garlic has the ability to increase blood flow in the body.
Garlic contains a chemical called allicin . Allicin is
responsible for many of garlic’s amazing health benefits
including its antimicrobial, and anti-hypertension
properties. This compound prevents plaques from building
up in arteries and enhances blood flow to the genital area
which increases the production of sperm. Garlic also
contains nitric oxide synthase , or NOS, which plays an
important role in a healthy erection . Garlic provides the
body with selenium and vitamin B6 which are responsible
for the mechanism of healthy sperm production.

(2) DARK CHOCOLATE

Dark chocolate is not just used in seduction, but it also
has enormous health benefits. According to a research
published in the Journal of the American Dietetic
Association , dark chocolate can increase the feeling of
attraction between two people by releasing the same
endorphins that are secreted during sex.
Dark chocolate also contains L-arginine, which is also
present in red meat, nuts, spinach and lentils, whole
grains,soy, seafood and eggs . This amino acid is needed
for sperm production and when consumed, increases
sperm count and boosts semen volume. According to The
University of Michigan Health System , several months of
L-arginine supplementation increases sperm count,
quality, and fertility.
L-arginine is also known to improve the dilation of blood
vessels, which increases blood flow to the genitals, which
can help the penis to enlarge . That’s the reason why men
who consume dark chocolate everyday have reported
stronger and more intense orgasms.

(1) BANANAS:

Bananas are effective at increasing sperm count, since
they contain a rare enzyme called Bromelain . Bromelain is
also found in pineapples, and mostly in their stem.
Beromelain is a natural anti-inflammatory enzyme which
also boosts greater production of the male sex hormone,
testosterone (Source: Dr. Oz ).
Bananas are also a rich source of vitamins B1, A and C.
These essential vitamins help the body enhance its sperm
producing ability and increases stamina significantly.

Sperm Count is one of the most important characteristics
in male fertility. Research shows that in more than half of
infertility issues in couples, low sperm count is the cause.
According to the World Health Organization , sperm count
of more than 15 million sperms per milliliters in considered
normal. In semen analysis which is a test for sperm quality
to find the underlying cause of male infertility, the following
parameters are measured: sperm count , sperm motility ,
sperm morphology , volume, fructose level and pH.
Several environmental , lifestyle and medical causes can
lower the sperm count significantly.


Here is a list of the most common causes of low sperm
count:

#Drugs such as cocaine and marijuana
#Drinking alcohol
#Extended uses of computers and laptops
#Long-term sitting, such as driving and bicycling for a long time
#Smoking
#Stress
#Obesity
#Medical issues: varicocele, infections, inflammation of testicles and prostate, ejaculation issues, anti-sperm antibodies, tumors, homonal imbalance, gluten intoleance and some medications.

Exercise and a healthy diet can help you to increase your
sperm count. Here we gathered a list of 10 foods that can
help you to boost your sperm count :

SOURCE: https://www.facebook.com/thenaturesfarmacy/posts/233025973566731:0

Vicotex:
Op, i think say you wan debunk the documentary ?

Yet every thing you write na opposite of wetin buhari do.

Buhari has hand in the death of FELA, Fact is fact.

Where is your fact?

[size=16pt]IT IS NOW CLEAR TO ME THAT NAIRALAND MODERATORS ARE VERY BIASED. If this topic is against GMB, they won't wait for people to call for front page before they move it to the front page. MAY BE THEY HAVE COLLECTED THEIR SHARE FROM THE 21 BILLION NAIRA.

NAIRALAND=AIT=NTA=PDP[/size]

raumdeuter:
I would be surprised if the mod who are reputed to be biased ever let his make FP

We all know the PDP campaign is based on lies, A president who after 6yrs has nothing on his record to speak about has resorted to lies

EXPOSING THE 9 BIG FAT LIES OF AIT IN ‘THE REAL BUHARI’ DOCUMENTARY ON TV!

Ordinarily, we can all understand that AIT as a privately owned TV Station, is entitled to collect money to advertise or air anything it wants on its privately owned radio station. However, when it comes to public issues, news or matters affecting the destiny of our nation, it should be a criminal act for a nationally licensed TV Station to allow itself to be used shamelessly to propagate falsehood against a contestant in the Nigerian elections.

The truth is that AIT, as one of the most widely watched TV stations in Nigeria, has a serious responsibility to inform Nigeria only of FACTS, and not be complicit in any nefarious attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of unsuspecting Nigerians, who trust his station to report the news to them daily.

With this betrayal of trust by AIT, one can only thank God that there were people alive and well at the relevant periods in history to debunk the sham being recycled by AIT, and its hatchet men, for filthy lucre. I congratulate all those who have done their fact-checks, people like El Rufai, Gidado and SIrajo Mohammed, and many others like them who have gone out on a limb to put the lie to this travesty occurring in our nation by a supposedly independent TV station.

Since I have learnt NEVER to accept anything at face value in Nigeria anymore, particularly from corrupt journalists and politicians on either side, I have also taken the time to watch the much talked about 55 minute documentary on Mohammed Buhari for myself, to see what the fuss was all about. I have also done my own fact-checks on some of the points raised, and I can say without any fear of contradiction that AIT LIED MANY TIMES IN THAT 55MIN HATCHET JOB ON BUHARI, or was grossly negligent or careless about the truth, in at least 8 or 9 MAJOR ways in ‘The Real Buhari’ documentary.

As a lawyer who understand the implications of calling anyone a liar, I will give the PROOF right now about the 9 things things that documentary lied about, and then challenge the whole AIT crew, lawyers and owners, to call me out or sue me for libel if they dared.

Each of the Big Fat Lies I have identified are VERIFIABLE facts that people can check for themselves by simply going online and checking the archives, or by searching for newspapers and TV programs for the relevant period. The people at AIT should know by now, that in this internet age, anyone can access information that only few people had previously, WITH VERY LITTLE HARD-WORK,

So, here are the 9 shameful lies that AIT and its reporters who put together that show of shame called a documentary tried to impose on Nigerians:

BIG FAT LIE #1: THE DOCUMENTARY CLAIMED THE MAITATSINE RIOTS STARTED DURING BUHARI REGIME –

A simple-fact check online will reveal that the Maitatsine riots started in 1980, and the riots in which over 3,000 people died actually occurred from 1975 -1982, many years before Buhari came to power. In fact, Maitatsine was KILLED in one of the riots in 1980 though some of his adherents still did some damage up to 1984.

Truth be told, unlike the lack luster campaign we have witnessed under Jonathan against the Boko Haram sect, the Maitatsine sect was actually CRUSHED during the Buhari regime, and its leaders scattered to Cameroon, when Buhari sent an overwhelming military force to confront them in 1984. Again, this happened in my school activism days so I know what I am talking about. Also, the objective history books and websites still online support this history. Yet, AIT shamelessly tried to claim that religious riots started under Buhari.

BIG FAT LIE #2.THE DOCUMENTARY CLAIMED BUHARI EXPELLED GHANIANS FROM NIGERIA –

This is also a verifiable lie. Simply Google or ask any Ghanaian old enough at the time. It was President Shehu Shagari of NPN who first expelled over 1,000,000 Ghanaians in 1983 in the infamous ‘Ghana-Must-Go’ inicdent, as some sort of retaliation for what the Ghanaians did to Nigeria in 1969. This was BEFORE Buhari came to power. You can check the facts yourself from this 1983 story by New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/1983/02/02/world/by-land-and-sea-they-stream-from-nigeria.html

BIG FAT LIE #3. THE DOCUMENTARY CLAIMED GLORIA OKOH, THE DRUG CARRIER DISAPPEARED FROM JUSTICE UNDER BUHARI –

Another lie from the pit of hell. We all know the Gloria Okon fake ‘death’ and disappearance saga happened under Ibrahim Babanginda after he overthrew Buhari. In fact, the late Dele Giwa was rumored to have been bombed to eternity AFTER Buhari had been overthrown, for being too nosy about what really happened. I remember very well how Gani Fawehinmi fought a gallant battle to bring the perpetrators to justice. Again, the person most people accused at the time was Ibrahim Babangida, who overthrew Buhari, and NOT Buhari himself.

BIG FAT LIE #4. THE DOCUMENTARY CLAIMED FELA IDENTIFIED BUHARI IN THE $2.8 BILLION OIL MONEY SCANDAL IN HIS SONG–

This is a big lie. Fela’s song about the missing money is still available EVERYWHERE. I have a copy of it and have listened to it again just in case I didn’t listen well before. Truth is FELA NEVER MENTINED BUHARI’S NAME. He only mentioned OBJ and ABIOLA. Of course the AIT people disingenuously edited that part of the tape out when they played Fela’s music in their documentary. This is definite proof they DELIBERATELY LIED otherwise why not let the song play to the point where names were mentioned?

BIG FAT LIE #5. THE DOCUMENTARY CLAIMED THAT BUHARI HAD A HAND IN THE DEATH OF FELA’S MOTHER- FUNMILAYO RANSOME KUTI.

Again, a simple fact check by my 6 year old daughter would reveal that Fela’s mother died after Olusegun Obasanjo invaded the KALAKUTA Republic of Fela in 1978. It was OBJ that ordered the house of his former Abeokuta Grammar School mate to be burnt down over his criticism of OBJ government. I remember that one very well because our house was a walking distance from Fela’s shrine then and we all rushed to witness the ‘unknown soldier’ saga play out in living colors and I saw Fela’s mother actually being thrown out of the window from upstairs by soldiers loyal to OBJ. Fela even released a song about it WELL BEFORE Buhari even came power more than 6 years later in 1984.

BIG FAT LIE #6. THE DOCUMENTARY CLAIMED BUHARI IMPRISONED INNOCENT POLITICIANS.

This is one of the most unfortunate lies of the whole sordid documentary. The fact of history shows that All Politicians that was sentenced to prison by the 1984 Military Tribunal were found to either enrich themselves with public funds or diverted public funds. None of them were convicted by fiat. Even the President Jonathan they were trying to help did not really say the politicians were innocent. He only said there should have been a difference between STEALING AND FRAUD! He said someday stole ‘only N5m’ and was given 15 years jail or someone stole money that was not enough to buy a Volkswagen and was sentenced to life. LWKMD! A government thief is a THIEF, whether N1 or N100M. THEY WERE ALL TRIED, not by Buhari but by a properly constituted tribunal. IN any case, how any sane person who was an adult in 1983 could argue that people like Umaru Dikko, Akinloye, Ambrose ALLI and even Ekwueme were innocent is beyond me.

BIG FAT LIE #7. THE DOCUMENTARY CLAIMED THAT BUHARI HAS BEEN LOSING SINCE Buhari 1999.

This is a lie. Buhari’s first shot was in 2003. In 1999, it was Chief Olu Falae of ANPP/AD that contested against Obj. In any case why does it matter if he contested so many times and lost? Many great leaders have lost countless elections before finally getting a chance. Even the Great Obafemi Awolowo and the Great Nnamdi Azikiwe also contested many times too without winning, but I don’t see AIT criticizing that!

BIG FAT LIE #8. THE DOCUMENTARY CRITICISED BUHARI FOR HIS STEWARDSHIP OF PTF –

Yet the truth remains that he was vigorously investigated by the vengeful OBJ and NOTHING was found on him. Even OBJ recently confessed that the Fraud investigation report did not find anything against Buhari. Still that did not stop the lying journalists at AIT from claiming he was corrupt as the PTF leader though they could not show any proof.

BIG FAT LIE #9. THE DOCUMENTARY CLAIMED THAT BUHARI OWNED AND BENEFITED FROM AFRI-PROJECTS CONSORTIUM SCANDALS–

While I definitely agree that the Afri-Project Consortium did a poor job with the enormous responsibilities it was given as consultants by the PTF, there is no shred of evidence to suggest that Buhari is one of its owners or that he personally benefited from their operations. It is a testament to the deception behind this hogwash documentary that the narrator kept saying ‘APC’ in its presentation of Afri-Projects Consortium to somehow connect the company with APC on a mental level. What a shame.

The truth behind this big fat lie is that Afri-Projects Consortium Ltd is a registered company in Nigeria and the AIT should have published their Form CO2 AND C07 to show us the real owners. Buhari has constantly challenged everyone to show proof of any ill-gotten wealth in his hands and nobody, including the AIT crew, has been able to do that. The man still lives in a modest house, and remains the only former head of state without mansions in Abuja or elsewhere, and yet these idiots would want us to believe he stole billions of dollars

THE CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER

Having exposed the Big Fat Lies of AIT in this piece, I will like to end by pointing out the poetic justice that nemesis has already meted to Jonathan and AIT for this hatchet job.

Right after running their sham documentary for the umpteenth time, they decided to run a flash poll for Nigerians to choose who their President should be between Jonathan and Buhari. To their shock and amazement, they poll showed that over 70% of the people who voted on the AIT Poll still preferred Buhari regardless of the shameful lies against him!

With serious egg on their face, and public embarrassment brought on by the fact that their little cheap ploy has backfired, the AIT hurriedly removed the poll and claimed their poll was hacked!

When challenged, they foolishly supplied a text file to show how the ‘hacking was done’. To add insult to injury, some good tech people have been able to demonstrate that AIT even that document of proof of hacking, was forged by AIT too! Yes, in case you have not read it, one of the more reputable Nigerian internet personalities out there, Gbenga Sesan, was able to demonstrate, in black and white examination of the data, that the so-called evidence of ‘hacking’ released by AIT was FORGED! Again, don’t take my word for it, simply go to Gbenga Sesan’s data analysis on his twitter handle to see for yourself.

The fact that President Jonathan and his paid supporters are desperate to win at all costs is all too obvious, even to the blind. It is really annoying that every time you ask Jonathan’s supporters to give you a lucid reason why Jonathan should be returned for another 4 years, all they keep saying is ‘Buhari was a dictator and an Islamist’. Essentially, their strategy remains, ‘Vote for Jonathan because Buhari is bad’. What an embarrassment!

Really, someone needs to tell President Goodluck Jonathan and his hapless strategists that the Red-herring argument will not work this time around. Nigerians have seen Jonathan for what he is in the last 6 years, and no amount of red-herring will change the minds of right thinking people about him. President Jonathan needs to go back to Utueke and let some else try to set the ship of our country straight from the disastrous waters that he, and his Cabal of Corruption, have sailed us into in the last 6 years.

[size=16pt]This may be HardTalk, but it is True-Talk nevertheless.[/size]

SOURCE: http://hardtalknaija.com/big-fat-lies-of-ait/

.

dodoniyi:
I’m not aware, says party spokesman, Metuh
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has put five of its governors under surveillance on the suspicion that they are romancing with All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, ahead of the February 14 contest.
A top party official confided in New Telegraph that the governors were secretly mobilising support for Buhari to have at least 25 per cent of the total votes cast in their respective states to brighten his chances of winning the presidential election.
The source listed the governors being watched as Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Mr. Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Chief Martin Elechi (Ebonyi), Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Mr. James Bala Ngilari (Adamawa) and Abubakar Danladi (Taraba).
The source said the party leadership had doubts about the commitment of the governors, along with some other bigwigs of the party who nurse grievances following the party’s primaries, to ensure wholeheartedly work for the victory of President Goodluck Jonathan next month.
It could, however, not be independently confirmed if more states are involved in the deal to ease Buhari’s victory just as PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, dismissed the alleged deal.
The source said the party had in its possession ‘verifiable evidence’ that some of the PDP governors, especially those whose interests were bruised in the last primaries were “willing to give the opposition party soft landing in some states.” “On paper, we say there is no problem, but in the real sense of it, there are bottled-up anger and animosity across the various chapters of the party in the country.
As a party, we are not losing sight of this and we are doing everything humanly possible to stem any slide in any state chapter of the PDP. “It is a thing that calls for worry because we have verifiable evidence and enough facts indeed that some of the PDP governors you press call aggrieved governors are already preparing ground to allow General Buhari have a leverage that can give him the required 25 per cent of total votes cast in the February 14 presidential election.
“The irony is that we do know this fact but we do not in the same breath, want to confront them and rock the boat. The only thing we can do is to put them under serious surveillance as we approach the elections”, the source said.
However, Metuh who claimed ignorance of such a development said no PDP governor was hobnobbing with Buhari. According to him, the reports are fabricated by APC to create confusion in the ruling party.
“This is a rumour and a lie fabricated by the opposition to create confusion in our midst. All our governors are intact and fully committed to the ideals of the PDP. They have all been working against the APC and its candidate and cannot turn around to support the opposition in any form.
“They are fully committed to the aspiration of the president for a second term because he has put the nation on the right track in terms of the nation’s economy and the direction of the polity. I urge you to ignore the rumour and place the APC where it belongs,” Metuh said in response to New Telegraph inquiry.

SOURCE: http://newtelegraphonline.com/five-pdp-govs-under-watch-over-buhari/

[b]Latest reports indicate that no fewer than 6400 supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Sokoto State, northern Nigeria, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday.

According to a PM NEWS report online, the defecting PDP members were led to the opposition party by a former chairman of Tambuwal local government area, Alhaji Maiakwa Magaji.

Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto was on hand to welcome the defectors during his gubernatorial campaign in the area.

It is understood that the incumbent governor advised the supporters to ensure that they collect their Permanent Voters Card to enable them vote in next month’s general election.

Wamakko also advised the leaders of the defectors, Alhaji Ahmed Tafida and Alhaji Magaji, to sensitise the new APC supporters on the need not to sell their PVCs.

While addressing the large crowd at the event, the governor said that the PVCs remain the only tool needed to bring in good leaders through free, fair and credible elections.

He also called on those who are yet to register, to do so for the overall development of the nation’s nascent democracy.

The governor urged the people to accept the rice, semovita and money being offered by some politicians, stating that they were returning to the people part of the money looted from the public treasury.

Wamakko added that politicians offering such bribes do not have the interests of the people at heart.

Also speaking at the occasion, Alhaji Tafida, said that the APC represents the hope Nigerians are yearning for.

He promised to continue to mobilize people in the area to cast their votes for APC candidates.

Alhaji Magaji said that the party has embarked on political education, noting that all their supporters have been told to play politics without bitterness.

The former council boss promised to mobilize supporters in the area to work hard in ensuring the success of the party at next month’s elections.

It will be recalled that a former chairman of the PDP in Ondo State, Chief Sanya Orungbemi, and 5,000 others from the Akoko North East local government area of the state, were reported to have defected to the APC on Tuesday.

According to the report, the defection happened barely 24 hours after President Goodluck Jonathan had campaigned in Ondo State.

SOURCE: http://www.naij.com/374290-ex-lg-boss-leads-6400-pdp-supporters-to-apc-in-sokoto.html[/b]

sureguy02:
Can we have this on frontpage? What are the mods waiting for??!!

When it is not a topic that attacks GMB or supports GEJ........

Directly from http://www.cambridgeassessment.org.uk/news/statement-in-response-to-nigerian-presidential-election-enquiries/

The University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), now known as Cambridge Assessment, in response to requests to authenticate a candidate’s exam certificate, today said: “We can only confirm or verify results at the direct request of or with the permission of a candidate.”

“This is in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 and section 40 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.”

The organisation also confirmed that according to the Regulations for 1961, African Language papers, including those for Hausa were set for the West African School Certificate.



NOTES:

[size=16pt]Examination results were classed in grades by 1 to 9. 1,2,3,4,5 & 6 indicate a Pass with Credit; 7 & 8 indicate a Pass; 9 indicates a Failure.

To pass the School Certificate, candidates had to pass examinations in a variety of groups. It was compulsory to pass English Language, but not Maths, in order to gain the Certificate.

The number of candidates who sat for the WASC Hausa examination in 1961 was 152.

Our records show that Hausa was set in the Northern Region in 1961.[/size]

Let me see what the NAIRALAND MODERATORS will do to this one

This man is not a pastor. I have a video proof to show this.

PDP PAID NAIRALAND MODERATORS WILL NEVER THIS KIND OF TOPIC TO GET TO THE FRONT PAGE... Kamari!!!

NAIRAPDP

PDPLAND

Sokoto: The Wamakko, Bafarawa, Shagari rift as albatross

From Mahmud Muhammad, Sokoto



There was palpable panic in Sokoto State over the defection of Governor Wamakko to the opposition APC. But ex-Governor Attahiru Bafarawa being a stakeholder and frontline member of APC, has remained adamant that Governor Wamakko must undergo due process to register as an authentic member of the APC at his ward before being allowed to officially join the party.

To observers, it is long overdue for ex-Governor Bafarawa and the incumbent governor to re-unite them in order to bring peace to their domain.

Meanwhile, there was again a mild drama of non-forgiveness taking stage between the former governor and his successor in the arena of politic of Sokoto the seat of Caliphate. This has taken a new dimension since the advent of the All Progressives Congress (APC) few months after, leadership of the party visited Sokoto led by its Interim Chairman Bisi Akande, APC national leader Bola Ahmed Tinubu and General Muhammadu Buhari.

Every individual that witnessed the event, now popularly referred to as the “show of shame” going between ex-Governor Bafarawa and his successor Governor Aliyu Magatakarda as from 1999 to date, would believe the duo were fully out for each other’s throat. In particular, Bafarawa is said to be out, not to secure the state from what he described as misfortune, but an attempt to ridicule the incumbent governor.

There is this popular adage “there are no permanent enemies or friends in politics,” but in the case of the two gladiators, the battle between them would never come to an end, until they succeed in creating division among their supports which is likely to result into chaos.

These feelers are described as a “time bomb,” but some commentators of Sokoto politics say this is an inconsequential attempt by former Governor Bafarawa to wrest power from Governor Wamakko through any other means which, according to them, is a show of shame between the two leaders that have vowed never to forgive nor forget.

To this end, the factors reliably have also extended to followers as many co-workers, politicians have become polarized.

Already, APC has overshadowed any other political party, including the ruling PDP which the governor moved alongside with all his followers en-mass since after the defection of the G-5 governors of which he is one.

From all indications, the secret meeting that held in Sokoto alongside with leaders of the APC had achieved faster development and response from other quarters, as all the streets of Sokoto and its environs had been taken over by his posters of APC, less than a month.

However, another watcher of Sokoto politics says the recent decline of Wamakko’s deputy, Barrister Muntari Shagari to move over to the APC but remain in PDP, is a minus for the APC.

The former Minister of Water Resources during Obasanjo made his mind clear at a press conference in Sokoto few hours after the governor similarly addressed the press that the whole Exco and PDP as well as followers of the governor had decided to move from PDP to APC.

Investigations by our reporter in Sokoto revealed that the statement released by the deputy was aimed at breaking his silence in the interest of clinching the seat of his boss in 2015. To this end, he is said to have hoped that the indigenes of Sokoto would see him as brave to fight his boss, who they both served eight years in power before departing ways, while on the other hand, ex-Governor Bafarawa is said to be out to fight Wamakko so that he would use the party to fight back all his grievances against Wamakko.

Already, at present, the national leadership of the APC has announced that it would hand over the structures of the party to the incumbent governor. But Bafarawa, at a recent gathering, said, as a frontline member of the APC, he rather sees Wamakko as a mere politician like any other local politician that he must go back to his constituency ward and seek for registration for membership before he would be allowed to come in as member of the party.

In a swift reaction, former PDP Secretary, Aminu Bello ACY, told newsmen that politics is a game of numbers, adding that Governor Wamakko is a crowd puller. “We don’t believe in hearsay, our boss cannot be intimidated. But let us get set for the game and see who, among us, would pull the most crowd in 2015,” he was quoted to have boasted.

The spokesman of the Bafarawa, who is the Magayaki Garkuwan Sokoto, has equally said that the only way Wamakko can get entrance into APC is that he must go back to his ward and take due process.

It will be recalled that as from 1999 to 2007, APP ruled the state with Bafarawa as Governor, while from 2007 to date, Governor Wamakko has been governor on the platform of the PDP. Also, from all indications, the APC may likely take over Sokoto in 2015.

Kebbi State was similarly ruled by the then APP, the same time from 1999 to 2007 when Alhaji Adamu Aliero ruled the state for eight years, before the PDP took over. After that, Adamu Aliero anointed the current Governor Saidu Nasamu Dakingari, who has been governor of Kebbi from 2007 to date. Zamfara State was also under the flag of APP-elected Governor Ahmed Sani Yarima before his deputy, Muhmuda Aliyu Shinkafi, who also cross-carpeted to the PDP, lost elections as Abdulazeez Yari was elected to replace him as governor of Zamfara on the platform of the ANPP which has now become APC.

Meanwhile, going by the zoning arrangement in the state, the governorship seat in 2015 is supposed to go to the Sokoto South Senatorial district.

Already, the strong contenders are emerging from the zone which comprises of the present Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; current Commissioner of Local Governments, Hon. Farouku Malami Yabo and Deputy Governor, Barrister Muntari Shagari, who have been tipped for the plum job.Kebbi State

Kebbi State, on the other hand, is under pressure ahead of the 2015 governorship election from the Gwandu Emirate Council which has called on its concerned citizens of Kebbi to abide by the standing zoning system. According to the emirate council, it is the turn of the Gwandus to produce the next governor of the state in 2015.

Although, strong indications have emerged that Aleiro, as the political godfather of Kebbi State, is also influential and can equally decide to anoint any candidate of his choice.

Aleiro, since after he masterminded the dethronement Gen. Mustapha Jakolo as as Abdullahin Gwandu, to this end, many see him as a strong stakeholder as he is financially stronger and has influence in both Zamafara and Sokoto states.

But sources have revealed that Governor Saidu Nasamu Dakingari is, however, been calculative, so that he does not involve himself in any reckless mismanagement of funds, in order to enable the opposition to challenge his seat after his tenure end in 2015.

Others believed to be eyeing his seat are present Senator Gen. Magoro, and Hassan Kangiwa (otherwise twin brothers). Also tipped for the position of the number one citizen of Kebbi is the present Accountant-General of Kebbi State, Arzika Dan-Atto and Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim K. Aliyu.



As Zamfara Gov Yari ex-Governor Mamuda of PDP lock horns



Also, in Zamfara, people have been skeptical about the coming back of the incumbent governor, Alhaji Abdulazeez Yari. This is because, his alleged attitude to his aides and his godfather, ex-Governor Ahmed Sani Yarima.

A close source revealed that Senator Yarima is currently grooming his son-in-law, who is also the present Commissioner of Works in the state.

Ahmed Sharu, joined politics as Sole Administrator of Anka Local Government Area, before he was elected under PDP. A holder of Masters Degree, he is presently undergoing his Doctorate Degree at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

The current defection of some members of the state House of Assembly from PDP to the APC has changed the political equation in the state. However, the defection of some members of over 5,000 PDP members to the APC is looked upon by many as a welcome development.

Also, a reliable source told Peoples Daily Weekend that former PDP Governor, Mamuda Aliyu Shinkafi, is warming up to “reclaim his seat in 2015.”

But, former PDP Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Mallaha, said they are not scared about the defection of their members to the APC. He said that they are working tirelessly to gain back their mandate “stolen by ANPP insha Allah.”

But another official revealed that the PDP at the national level his turned its back on the Exco. Due to this, if the Exco has its way, they would defect to the APC with in the current revolution going on.



Evaluating APC’s chances in Kano

From Edwin Olofu, Kano



Going by the bubbling political activities in the ancient city of Kano, one can say that the All Progressives Congress (APC), will easily sweep the polls in the 2015 general elections, apparently this conclusion may be as a result of the array of heavy political weights that has so far aligned with the progressive party recently.

The recent official decamping of the incumbent governor of the state Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso have further cement the party’s stronghold in the state, making a formidable one.

Before now, the state is perceived by many as the stronghold of the CPC presidential candidate retired General Muhammadu Buhari, which statistics has proven in the 2003 presidential, 2007 and in 2011 were the Daura born General had landslides victories in the elections.

In 2003, Buhari’s influence swept away the PDP government led by Kwankwaso then and installed Malam Ibrahim Shekarau who only ventured into politics for the first time.

In the same vein, in 2007 Buhari trounced Late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua at the poll who managed to secure the constitutional requirement of 25% in Kano state.

Ironically, it was Buhari against Shekarau in 2011. The General defeated the former governor at his ward and the government house polling station and won the overall election in the state with a wide margin.

Although, the CPC then lost the governorship elections which observers attributed to the squabble within the party over the governorship ticket.

The President Jonathan led PDP which is the only strong opposition in the state; popularity is increasingly on the decline in the state, which the aftermath of Kwankwaso’s defection has made it extremely more difficult for PDP to win elections in the state.

Political pundits are of the view that in Kano both the governorship and Presidential election are for the APC to lose, apparently knocking off any opposition to the APC in the state.

Only recently, several chieftains of the defunct CPC and the ANPP have all gone to the state government house to pay allegiance and homage to the new party leader in the state Kwankwaso, promising to work with him in ensuring the success of the party at the polls.

The recent visitors to the government house were all the ANPP governorship aspirants in 2011 and serving members of the House of Representatives, they equally promised to work with the governor in the overall interest of the state and all party members in the state.

The only obstacle to the APC ahead of the poll is the seemingly underground war between Kwankwaso and Shekarau on the issue of who call the shot of the party affairs in the state.

While Shekarau is disagreeing with the position of the APC, giving the status of the leader of the party to serving state governors, Kwankwaso is working assiduously to bring all into the fold of APC.

The disquiet in Malam Shekarau’s camp could affect the party’s fortunes in the election. That is if Shekarau keep his supporters intact and move to the PDP as it is being speculated across the state.

Another factor that may affect the APC in Kano state is the person flying the party’s presidential flag in 2015. If General Buhari is not given the ticket and decided to stay aloof during the electioneering campaigns, this will surely discourage the Kano state voters that normally come out in their large numbers to cast their votes for the General.

On the other hand, if Buhari emerges the presidential candidate, the APC remains the party to beat in all elections in the state with the influence of the General and the widely held notion of Kwankwaso’s performance that has eclipsed many of his predecessors. If this happens, it is likely going to be a daunting challenge for the PDP to beat APC in Kano.

SOURCE: http://weekend.peoplesdailyng.com/index.php/news/special-report/2055-pdp-vs-apc-who-captures-the-northern-states-in-2015

Since the registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the subsequent merger with the New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), there have been claims and counter-claims by both parties as to who has the upper hand. Our correspondents report that while the situation is dicey in some states because of the incumbency factor, the APC is giving the PDP a tough fight in many others. They concluded that the pendulum could swing either way depending on strategies adopted by either of the two biggest parties.

Kaduna: Continued defection worries PDP

From Muhammad Ibrahim, Kaduna



The current crisis in the ruling party in Kaduna State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which is accompanied by the defections of its members to the newly registered opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), continues to give PDP members sleepless nights because they do not seem to be sure of their party’s success in the 2015 elections.

The crisis in the PDP has shown that the party may not find the next election easy as it used to. This is because, the continued defection of its members on daily basis and especially that of the five governors out of the G-7 governors was a big blow to the party, one which they are still finding difficult to overcome.

In Nigeria today, the dominating headlines you read on the pages of newspapers always include PDP lawmakers defecting to APC; PDP ex-chairmen defecting to APC; PDP members defecting to APC; APC leads in the House of Representatives among others. Such headlines have become a daily event.

Almost all states in the federation that are under the PDP government are facing this threat of its members defecting to the opposition party, especially in the northern part of the country.

Kaduna State, which is under a PDP governor, Dr Muktar Ramalan Yero, from where the Vice President Namadi Sambo comes, is also losing its members en masse to the opposition. Although, the governor has not defected, however, there are indications that the recent defection of some key PDP members in the state has sent shivers into the spines of the ruling party.

Those defectors were two former chairmen of the party in the state: Alhaji Audi Yaro Makama Rigachukun and Alhaji Zubairu Sirajo. These people have great influence in the party at local and state levels, because they are adjudged truly grassroots politicians.

They led other ex-commissioners and lawmakers to APC office where they defected, promising to dislodge the state governor come 2015. With Alhaji Audi Yaro Makama’s closeness to the former state governor (now Senator) Ahmed Makarfi, many political observers believe the former governor might be aware of his defection, because Makarfi’s relationship with Vice President has gotten sour for many years.

Investigations have also revealed that there are other political gladiators in the state whose body language has shown that they are also likely to defect to the APC. The former SSG to late Governor Ibrahim Yakowa, Alhaji Samaila Abdullahi Yakawada, and Alhaji Sulaiman Hunkuyi who contested the governorship election in 2003 and 2011 under PDP have since defected to APC.

Political observers are also of the view that defection of people like Audi Makama, Sulaiman Hunkuyi, Zubairu Surajo and other PDP stakeholders disturbed the leadership of the party greatly both at state and national levels which was perceived as the reason for the unscheduled visit of Vice President Namadi Sambo to the state last week Monday.

The VP was in the state to have a consultation with his party leaders, a state which he governed for four years. This, according to observers, is because the current trend is not telling well of his political career.

In fact, while the VP was in town, some leaders of PDP from his constituency, Kaduna North Local Government and that of Kaduna South Local Government also defected to APC in their thousands.

According to the defectors, they left their former party to join the opposition because that is what their supporters wanted.

The PDP which has been ruling the state since transition to civilian rule in 1999 has lost its strength and its members to APC in the state. This development has made many people to ask who wins elections in the state come 2015 between the two parties?

“We are only waiting for 2015 to bury PDP in Kaduna State,” Interim Chairman of APC in the state, Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed was quoted to have said while fielding questions from the media recently.

He also stated last week Tuesday, while receiving PDP defectors from Kaduna North Local Government that PDP is finished in Kaduna State.

“We have been placed under tremendous pressure from the first day we received the state leaders of the PDP to open our doors to receive more and more PDP people. PDP is finished in Kaduna,” he said.

However, the PDP state chapter in a statement reacted angrily by describing the defectors as political liability and that they lack political relevance in the state.

The party has however maintained that it is still the strongest and biggest party not only in the state but in the country.

The irony, however, is that even the southern part of the state which is PDP dominated in the past years seems to be angry with the PDP government as they have accused it of abandoning the area.

Which is why political watchers in the area have claimed that late Yakowa’s factor would play a greater role in the next elections, because most of the people in Southern Kaduna are angry as they believe the PDP government abandoned the projects started by the late governor who was from the area and so have resolved to support the opposition come 2015.

In Kaduna, one cannot rule out religious and ethnic sentiments during elections, so another factor that may likely pose a great challenge to Governor Yero’s re-election bid is the issue of religion, because most Christians in the state who are supporters of PDP and are based in the southern part of the state, are gradually withdrawing their support.

The northern part of the state which is Muslim-dominated where the Governor Yero hails may also not support him, because of his cordial relationship with the VP. The people in that part of the state are angry with Namadi Sambo and they believe, as long as the governor is close to his god-father, no meaningful development will be recorded in the state.

So, the fact remains that Governor Yero as a person, may not have a problem with the people, but his political god-father, the VP, has lost the people’s trust and support at the grassroots level, even among the political gladiators in the state.

Namadi may be the VP of the country but lacks popularity in his state and that will greatly affect Governor Yero and PDP’s popularity in the coming election in the state.

Therefore, the current situation in the state presently poses a threat to the position of the state governor, Dr Muktar Ramalan Yero and his chances of winning the next election in 2015 in case he decides to contest, depends on the candidate of the APC in the gubernatorial elections.

If the APC gives a strong candidate its ticket, somebody who the people like, no doubt, they will sweep the votes without any strong opposition from the ruling party.

That is why, in an attempt by leadership of the opposition to lure the Southern Kaduna people into the new party, they have visited the area few months ago and were said to have receive a warm welcome by the elders of the area.

If APC is able to break through Southern Kaduna politics, they need not campaign much in the northern part of the state, because already, they have massive supporters there.

Going by what happened in 2011 election where PDP loyalists were targeted in the northern part of the state during the post-election violence, this incident has shown that PDP has a lot to do before it could win back the heart of the people in that part of the state come 2015.

But, despite the problem in his party, Governor Yero may still have the sympathy of the people as he is also doing his best to win their support, particularly those from southern part of the state with his recent visit to religious and traditional rulers in the area during Christmas. The governor’s supporters also believe that those in northern part will not go against their own during the election because he is one of them from the area and that cannot be ruled out.

Although, Governor Yero is yet to declare his intention to re-contest his position but many are of the view that he has a lot of work to do if at all he wants to keep his position come 2015. As for now, only time will tell who occupies the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna, come 2015.



Buhari factor as game changer in Katsina



From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina



There is no doubt that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is the biggest opposition political party in Katsina State. The acceptability and popularity of the party in the state was attributed largely for being home to one of the strongest pillars of the party in the state, General Muhammadu Buhari. Although, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has ruled the state for the past fourteen years, the influence of Buhari, during this period has made the opposition to have a major in-road into the politics of the state.

A close look at the politics of the state from 2003 to date will provide one with a clear understanding of the opposition politics in Katsina. In 2003, during Buhari’s first sojourn into the political arena of the country, the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), his party then, dislodged the ruling party in the National Assembly elections where it won two of the three senatorial seats in the state. It was only in 2007, due to some political intrigues in the state, that the opposition did not make any in-road. Similarly, in the 2011 elections, when Buhari contested under the now defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the party swept all the three senatorial seats in the state and 12 out of the 15 members of the House of Representatives.

It is clear from the recent political happenings that, for PDP to ignore the Buhari factor in the forthcoming 2015 election, it would be doing so at its own peril. However, despite the popularity of the opposition political parties in the state and the Buhari factor, the opposition has yet to produce a governor in the state. Why is this so? The answer is not far-fetched? From the 2003 elections to the 2011 elections, the popular opposition political parties from the times of ANPP and CPC, the opposition during these periods were dogged into political squabbles. In 2003, gubernatorial candidates defeated by Engineer Nura Khalil of the ANPP refused to surrender and work with him, this cost the party the seat. In 2007, a similar scenario played out as Engineer Nura Khalil defeated by Senator Abu Ibrahim turned his back on the party and this too cost the party the gubernatorial seat. Similarly, in the run-up to the 2011 elections the CPC was enmeshed in crisis and in the end, when the party settled for Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari as its gubernatorial candidate, the Senator Yakubu Lado Danmarke group aligned with the PDP which also cost the party the seat.

To a careful observer of the state opposition politics, one would be tempted to conclude that despite their huge support the opposition has not yet learnt their lessons. The politics of scaring opponents with Buhari’s name within the opposition politics is still being played. It was only recently an APC chieftain and late President Yar’adua’s brother, Alhaji Abdul’aziz Yar’adua told his supporters that ‘if politics of imposing candidates from the top will continue in Katsina State, the state would continue to elude the opposition’. Already Our Correspondent learnt that a lot of people want to join the APC in Katsina State but their fear of using the slogan of Buhari boys and others is scaring them away. It was this scenario that Our Correspondent gathered was delaying the full take-off of the party in the state. At the local governments level the infighting inherited by the party during the CPC days has crept in with the warring groups struggling to take over the chapters. It was this infighting that was inherited from the CPC days that prevented the party from having tentative representatives at the House of Representatives as the warring groups are still in court over who is the genuine representative.

With the building political storm in the APC, one can comfortably conclude that it would be a miracle if they have any head way this time around. So the PDP in Katsina State would only fold its arms and wait for the familiar in fighting in the opposition to manifest before taking advantage of it to capture the state. Yes, it is clear that if there is any election now with Buhari as the presidential candidate or a candidate anointed by him the APC would surely carry the day. But as for gubernatorial election political intrigues and divides among potential aspirants would surely be the major obstacles for the opposition.

As for the PDP in Katsina state, the political tsunami of the nPDP did not scare it much, as the leader of the nPDP in the state, Alhaji Bala Saulawa made a u-turn few days after announcing his group joining the new party. The major challenge to the party came with the formation of APC. Few days after its formation, a former deputy governor of the state under late Umaru Yar’adua, Ambassador Abdullahi Garba Aminchi and his followers defected to the APC from the PDP. Similarly, a member of the House of Representatives from Zangon Baure, Alhaji Tijjani Zangon Daura and his supporters also defected to the APC. This, by implications, shows that the member may have defected with the consent of his father, Alhaji Sani Zangon Daura, who is a strong pillar of the PDP in the state.

However, political pundits believe that the PDP may have to take solace in the fact that the state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema, has done well for the state in terms of infrastructural development that include good road networks and construction of schools. They similarly pointed at the governor’s free education programme that culminated into the payment of WAEC/NECO/NABTEB for secondary school students. They have equally pointed at the youth empowerment scheme through the youth craft village and sponsoring of students to study some critical medical and para-medical courses abroad. These and some of the programmes initiated by the governor are seen by pundits that if he choses a successor, he may likely succeed.

Continue READING.....NEXT COMMENT

SOURCE: http://weekend.peoplesdailyng.com/index.php/news/special-report/2055-pdp-vs-apc-who-captures-the-northern-states-in-2015

[quote author=NgeneUkwenu post=30179371][/quote]NA LIE JOR.....NAIRALAND DEY BEHIND YOU AND PDP, i.e. NAIRALAND moderators are supporting PDP AND GEJ.

PROOF:
Check the topics in the politics sections that are supposed to be on the FRONT PAGE and the topics approved to be on FRONT PAGE.

**21 billions naira is really working on NAIRALAND

From the video released on 3rd January, 2015 by POLITRICKS with Kayode Ogundamisi,

Pastor Sam Adeyemi said:

“…If such a critical issue was on the mind of those in government, then why didn’t they bring that up during the elections. You can’t go in, having voted in and you now short-change those who voted you in. You’ve got to go there in to do what you were voted in to do. Although if we bring in that dimension, hmmm! Then we will actually examine the reason why we voted. Majority of the Nigerians voted the way they voted. [size=16pt]They voted because he is a southerner, a South-South, he is a Christian; his name is GOODLUCK, may be, he will good luck to Nigeria. It was those sentimental issues really, not proven competence and character, sound values and principles; it wasn’t vision. Okay! It wasn’t vision[/size]…….. ”

SOURCE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJWAbPjLJOc

LAGOS—TWENTY-Four hours after US Secretary of State, John Kerry met President Goodluck Jonathan and former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, pledging his country’s determination to work with Nigeria and other countries to end activities of the Boko Haram terrorists, the Israeli media, yesterday, revealed that the US stopped Nigeria’s purchase of Chinook military helicopters from Israel to fight Boko Haram.
The sale/transfer of such aircraft required a review by the US, to determine its “consistency with US policy interests,” Obama administration officials told The Jerusalem Post.
It quoted White House Assistant Press Secretary and Director for Strategic Communications, Ned Price, as saying that reviews of such kind take place in the case of “any requests for one country to transfer US-origin defence items to another country.”
Nigeria’s largest arms purchase ever reported was from Israel in 2007, in a deal with Aeronautics Systems worth $260 million. That company is Israeli, however, not American.
A single Chinook costs roughly $40 million to produce.
Vanguard had reported the Nigerian military in the past as saying that the country also resorted to training its security personnel on terrorist encounters in Russia and China because of the refusal of the US administration to sell arms to the government following “unfounded allegations of human rights violations by our troops,” among others.
However, the reports quoted unnamed Nigerian officials as also saying that the US blocked the order “after the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had initially approved the purchase.”
Policy directives
US officials told The Jerusalem Post that such transfers must be consistent with a policy directive revised by President Barack Obama in January, which outlines the criteria for conventional weapons sales.
The policy requires US transfers, including Boeing aircraft, to take into account “the risk that significant change in the political or security situation of the recipient country could lead to inappropriate end-use” of the weapons.

While the Nigerian report suggests Abuja sought the purchase of Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopters, Israel predominantly uses Sikorsky CH-53 aircraft for missions involving heavy-lift transport. Both Boeing and Sikorsky are American companies.
Israeli laws concerning the export of arms is less restrictive than those in the United States. Israel, however, is a member of the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms and, in 2009, reported to the body that Israel, in practice, refrains from transfers “where there is imminent risk that arms might be internally diverted, illegally proliferated and re-transferred, or fall into the hands of terrorists or entities and states that support or sponsor them.”
Sixteen nations operate the Chinook helicopter, none of which are in sub-Saharan Africa.
Nigerian officials were reported as saying that “we had even tried to procure arms from Russia but this was stalled because of the Ukrainian crisis, thus compelling us to turn to other nations like Israel. But even this has been frustrated by the US.”
They further said it was not just in the area of arms procurement that US has been most unhelpful, adding that contrary to its public stance that it was assisting in the rescue operations of the abducted Chibok secondary school girls, it has done nothing significant to help Nigeria in this regard.
Other intelligence sources also cited the fact that the US has refused to share intelligence with Nigerian security forces in a timely manner.
They said: “When we complained, they started sharing some intelligence, but days after such intelligence is of little value”.
Boko Haram gained notoriety around the world after its militants kidnapped 276 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State in April last year. The US sent military personnel to assist in finding the girls.
Amnesty connection
In August, Amnesty International said it had gathered video footage, images and testimonies that “implicates the Nigerian military in war crimes” which the Nigerian government vehemently denied.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said in Nigeria recently that the United States remains committed to helping the government combat Boko Haram.
“We are engaging with the Nigerian government at all levels to identify areas of counter-terrorism cooperation,” other state officials earlier said.
This was contrary to what the US ambassador to Nigeria James Entwistle told reporters last October while speaking on the refusal by his country to sell high calibre weapons to Nigeria. Entwistle told reporters that “the kind of question that we have to ask is, let’s say we give certain kinds of equipment to the Nigerian military and that is then used in a way that affects the human situation, if I approve that, I’m responsible for that. We take that responsibility very seriously.”

SOURCE: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/01/boko-haram-us-halts-israeli-aid-nigeria/

Lagos – Pastor Joe Femi-Dagunro, a senior pastor with the Grace and Glory Chapel, Lagos, on Sunday said that Christian faithful should not indulge in wasteful spending by taking trips to Jerusalem.
The cleric made the remark during an interview in Lagos during the church’ inaugural Thanksgiving Service in Ikeja.
Femi Dagunro said that as much as people could travel to see other climes, they should not attach a trip to Jerusalem as a compulsory task in the practise of Christianity.
He said that such money could be put to more productive use by building industrial and Information Technology parks for the development of the Nigerian youths.
“There is no point for us not to say the truth, if we believe in it. There is nowhere that it is written in the Bible that Christians must visit Jerusalem.
“Jesus did not say: ‘You must visit my tomb.”
“We are wasting money on such trips and that money could be used to support the youth to build industrial parks, or to develop IT parks.
“So, church leaders have a role to speak the truth and advise government on how it can do this,” the cleric said.
He also advised that churches should begin to train their members on skill acquisition, to improve themselves so as to be able to serve the church better and also get opportunities to make better living.
“It is high time that Churches began, as they schedule week days for prayer meetings, to dedicate one day for skill acquisition.
“They can train the people they use in the church, or mentor them, in order to develop the people for their good as well.”
Femi-Dagunro also urged churches to embark on more humanitarian projects such as building cottage hospitals, in addition to building universities.(NAN)

SOURCE: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/01/jesus-christ-not-task-christians-visiting-jerusalem-says-cleric/